Governance

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Strong governance underpins institutional performance, assurance and trust. We support universities to strengthen governance structures, board effectiveness, decision‑making and assurance. Together, we’ll ensure governance arrangements are fit for purpose, future‑focused and aligned with strategy, risk and regulatory expectations.

We help you to

Strengthen council and board effectiveness
Clarify roles, responsibilities and decision-making
Improve governance assurance and oversight
Align governance with institutional strategy
Manage risk, compliance and accountability
Support effective committee structures

Speak to our experts

Dr Rhiannon Birch

Dr Rhiannon Birch

r.birch@sums.ac.uk

Managing Consultant (Business and Organisation Development)
View Rhiannon’s profile
SUMS Consulting team

SUMS Consulting team

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Member stories

Governance perspectives in managing provider closure

Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)

What happened? Financial pressures highlighted the need for robust governance in higher education market exits.  

Our approach: SUMS provided governance, change and assurance expertise, embedding board‑level considerations throughout the study design.  

The outcomes: A practical, sector‑wide framework supporting boards and senior leaders in managing provider exit responsibly.  

Review of efficiency and effectiveness of committee operation

A Russell Group university

What happened? The University asked SUMS to review committee structures due to concerns about excessive bureaucracy hindering decisions. 

Our approach: SUMS combined document review, stakeholder engagement, and benchmarking to develop recommendations and governance principles. 

The outcomes: The review highlighted inefficiencies and unclear accountability, recommending fewer decision layers and cultural change rather than simply cutting committees. 

Review of council and committee effectiveness

A Post-92 university 

What happened? The University asked SUMS to undertake an independent review of Council and committee’s effectiveness. 

Our approach: SUMS assessed the Council, its committees and their interface with Senate against the University’s governance framework, OfS requirements, sector good practice and wider insights. Drawing on extensive, triangulated evidence from documents, interviews, surveys, meeting observations and ongoing engagement with key stakeholders and the Steering Group, it produced a robust picture of governance. 

The outcomes: The review highlighted elements of the governance framework which require modernisation and clearer alignment, particularly around structural ambiguities in roles, responsibilities and delegations, which created friction and slowed progress. 

Governance (FAQs)

Good governance is one of the foundations for an effective organisation. SUMS evaluates governance practices as part of the wider university ecosystem to develop an in-depth understanding of the intersections between structure, people and strategy. Our work with institutions connects these different facets to explore whether governance arrangements are providing effective assurance. This approach sets us apart from exercises which explore governance for its own sake, rather than as a tool for driving institutional effectiveness.

With a team including former University Secretaries, Vice-Chancellors and Associates who have worked for bodies such as Advance HE and the QAA, SUMS has a wealth of governance expertise. We are also proud to partner with the Good Governance Institute who bring deep experience of governance reviews and best practice from working across a wide range of sectors including the NHS. Our team combines professional evaluation and advice with practical experience of developing effective governance in institutions. A mix which sets us apart from other consultancies working in this area.

SUMS governance practice offers a flexible approach to exploring governance challenges. Rather than assume one size fits all governance questions, we work with institutions to develop a bespoke approach to their individual governance challenge. We offer a range of tools and techniques which we adapt to your question, be it a governance effectiveness review, a review of committee structures or upskilling and improving the quality of support across the governance team.

Speak to our SUMS experts

Our senior HE consultants bring proven solutions, sector insight and hands-on support. Whatever your challenge, we’ll help you find the right way forward, quickly and confidently. 

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